Early in the morning there was a kind of spiritual conflict, namely of spirits who wanted very badly to attack me, and indeed, with all their strength, but it was as if I had been removed. Although I was aware of their attempts in an extraordinary way, I did not hear their speech, but it was as though a field were withholding me from their attempts. I was surprised at their stubbornness, and the fact that they could not pause, but only stubbornly keep on striving, though in vain; and I was also surprised that they could not accomplish anything whatever, or have influence upon me. It was a state such as I cannot at all describe; but it seemed to me that if they had then succeeded, they would have completely overpowered me. I likewise noticed at the time that it was an inward collective realm or field into which I had been raised - I do not know whether those spirits were in the same one. I also observed at the time that there was not the least thing that did not come through the guidance of God the Messiah and His compassion toward me; also, that a spirit could not do even the most minute thing except by permission. 1747, the 22nd day of October (old calendar).